Local politicians in Solano County hope for change in President Barack Obama's second term

Proclaiming that the United States economic recovery has begun and calling for a unified front that continues to embrace adversity, President Barack Obama once again took an oath to lead this country.

People of all ages, far and wide, tuned in Monday morning to the Presidential Inauguration ceremony and speech that landed on the day the country remembered Martin Luther King Jr. who delivered the "I have a dream" speech in August 1963 at the March on Washington.

Solano County Supervisor Linda Seifert said what stood out to her as she listened to the president speak was his appeal to Congress and the public to embrace diversity and continue to eradicate discrimination.

"We have to work together to return the country to the great place it's been," she said. "There is a lot of work, but it can be done if we're unified."

She said Obama acknowledged the significance of the day and embraced King's speech in a "contemporary way."

As far as the economy is concerned, Seifert said there are signs the economy is rebounding, but the employment rate is still down and continues to drag in Solano County.

"Overall, it's possible economic recovery is coming," she said. "The speech really did focus on there are reasons to be optimistic."

Vacaville Mayor Steve Hardy said he was encouraged that the president wants to be tougher.

"I hope he's more forceful this term," he said. "I'm hoping for some real change. There are things that are affecting us on a daily basis and it seems like we're getting piled on and that needs to stop."

Hardy said threats of a fiscal cliff, increased taxes and debt ceilings always seem to loom so he hopes the president can be more proactive in addressing the issues.

Congressman John Garamendi, D-Solano, who was reached by phone while he was in Washington, D.C., attending the inauguration, said it shouldn't take a crisis for things to get done.

"It seems we're in a perpetual crisis," he said. "We need to move the country past it. We can't keep using a crisis to achieve a goal."

He explained that the American citizens are like racehorses ready at the gate, waiting for the bell to ring.

"There is a sense that people want to get going," he said. "They want those houses built, businesses to expand and crops to grow, but people don't know what to do. We have to start moving the country forward."

Garamendi said the being able to attend the inauguration is a great privilege and one that's very humbling.

"There is a lot of excitement, it's really quite thrilling," he said.

He added that Obama really emphasized on being "We The People."

"We're one people, but very diverse," he said. "We have to work together to bring about the destiny of this country."

He explained that the United State has come a long way, but there is still more to do when it comes to civil rights.